Police failed to properly investigate allegations that a gang was blackmailing men on the gay dating app Grindr, the BBC can reveal.
Our investigation has learned of five cases of suspected blackmail using Grindr in one area, with at least four of them connected to the same gang, which remains at large.
In one instance, a suspected victim killed himself 24 hours after a group of men turned up at his home demanding he hand over his new Range Rover.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog has told Hertfordshire Police – the investigating force – to examine whether “homophobic assumptions” could have contributed to failures in the investigation.
Hertfordshire Police said it was “unable to discuss specific points” about the case, which has now been reopened, but said it is committed to “building and maintaining good working relationships with the LGBTQ+ communities”.
Warning – this story contains distressing content and references to suicide.
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